PONTIAC, Mich. – Mitch Richmond heard the cheers on Friday night. Cheers from Kansas and Kansas State fans alike.
“When we came on the court for warmups,” said the K-State standout, who scored 27 points in the Wildcats’ 73-70 Midwest Regional semifinal win over Purdue, “KU’s fans and cheerleaders were out there yelling for us. It made me feel good. We’re all part of Kansas. Even though our schools have a rivalry, the fans backed each other tonight. Our fans cheered for them, too.”
Indeed, KSU’s fans rooted for the Jayhawks in KU’s 77-64 win over Vanderbilt. The Sunflower State spectators’ fondest dreams have come true, with KU and KSU meeting at 1:58 p.m. Sunday at the Silverdome with a Final Four berth on the line.
“K-State’s fans cheered for us. That’s why I want them to do well,” KU forward Milt Newton said after the Jayhawk win. “Their fans supported us and we appreciate it.”
Amazingly, the two teams will meet for a fourth time this season on Sunday.
“I don’t know what takes precedence, the rivalry or the regional,” said KSU coach Lonnie Kruger, whose team battled back from a 10-0 deficit. “It’s a great rivalry, a healthy rivalry. We broke their streak in Lawrence and they came back and beat us at our place. Then we beat them in the Big Eight tournament. Now it’s their turn. We’ve gotta fight that off.”
Some might find it hard to believe 24-11 KU has advanced this far.
Tell the truth, now. Did you really think Kansas would storm to three straight wins in the NCAA Tournament?
Thought so.
“It was George Michael who said, ‘You gotta have faith,'” said Kansas guard Scooter Barry.
“Everybody says they’re surprised we made it this far,” added Barry. “I’m not surprised, I’m really excited to be here, thrilled to death we could make it this far with all the losses of personnel we’ve had.
“Our mentality is to not be satisfied. Our goal is to win three more games. Coach Brown told us we’ve played 21 NCAA tournament teams this year. We feel we can play with anybody in the tournament.
Including Sunday’s foe KSU.
“With Danny on the team, we’ve always got somebody to lean on,” said Barry, referring to Danny Manning, who scored 38 versus Vandy. “It’s not fair to Danny that we rely on him so much. But you know, I think he’s starting to enjoy it.”
Barry, like the rest of the 31,909 fans, was awed at Manning’s performance.
“Danny felt it. He started great,” said Barry. “He’d have continued to dominate but he got tired. We were running and breaking and it takes it out of you.”
Manning scored 25 the first half.
“He had to work awfully hard,” said Barry. “It’s just a great feeling to see him get into the game like that.”
Forward Milt Newton, who managed just four points in 23 minutes is never surprised at Manning’s effort.
“He does it every game,” said Newton. “They played some man to man. When you play him man to man, nobody can stop him. And he was hitting against the zone too.
“It’s really a thrill to get this far,” continued Newton. “I think if we play defense like we did tonight, we’ll be OK. I thought defense and rebounding was the key.”
KU outrebounded the Commodores, 35-26.
Now it’s the Sunday match against KSU.
“Playing K-State is good for our conference,” said Barry. “K-State beat us two of three times this year. I’d like to play them because of that and the fact I played terrible against them the last time. But really it doesn’t matter who you play.”
